Bristol] THE GRAY SQUIRREL 275 



the tireless activity of the older squirrels. Both old and young 

 are exceedingly found of play and will often spring up from the 

 ground as if in a high jumping match and turn regular somersaults 

 in the grass. Sometimes they will catch hold of a branch hanging 

 down almost to the ground and swing back and forth like boys 

 who find a long grape vine in the woods. 



No animal is more motherly than one of these parent squirrels 

 and she takes great pride in the instruction of her nearly grown 

 brood and no other squirrel is allowed to interfere in any way. 

 She is very patient and will keep encouraging her youngsters 

 gently. 



The gray squirrel is not greatly in demand as a pet. He is so 

 mischievious and tries his strong teeth on everything and damages 

 things too much. He is not an affectionate animal. He will 

 climb upon your shoulder and look for sweets but never curl up 

 in your lap just for the pleasure of your companionship. He has 

 not even monkey-like tricks with which to amuse you, nor a 

 melodious voice to please your ear. His place is free in the great 

 tree tops where he has room for his acrobatic feats, and where he 

 can find a boon companion in every wind that blows. 



"There can be no objection to the poetic interpretation of 

 nature. It is essential only that the observation be correct and 

 the inference reasonable, and that we allow it only at proper 

 times. In teaching science we may confine ourselves to scien- 

 tific formulas, but in teaching nature wc may admit the spirit as 

 well as the letter." 



"The child should be set at those things that are within its 

 own sphere and within the range of its powers. Much so-called 

 nature-study teaching is merely telling the child what some man 

 has found out." 



"Thoroughness consists only in seeing something accurately 

 and understanding what it means. We can never know all that 

 there is to be learned about any subject." 



"One is not superficial merely because he does not delve deep 

 into subject-matter. He should try to be accurate as far as he 

 goes." 



— L. H. Bailey. 



